Your role, as parents or guardians, has a tremendous impact on your child’s experiences as he or she participates in sports.

Parent Code of Conduct

• Do not force an unwilling child to participate in sports.
• Remember children are involved in organized sports for their enjoyment, not yours. Teach your child to always play by the rules.
• Teach your child that hard work and honest effort are often more important than a victory.
• Help your child work toward skill improvement and good sportsmanship in every game. Your child will then be a winner even in defeat.
• Do not ridicule or yell at your child for making a mistake or for losing a game. Set a good example. Children learn best by example.
• Applaud good plays by your team and by members of the opposing team.
• Do not publicly question the referee’s judgment and never their honesty.
• Recognize the value and importance of volunteer coaches, referees and officials and give them their due respect. Without them, there would be no AYSO soccer.
• Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from youth sporting activities.

Conversations before the games

Tell your child you love him/her regardless of the outcome. Tell him or her “Go for it, give it your best shot and have fun!”

During the game

Understand that kids are over-stimulated during games. The Coach may be giving instructions, opponents and teammates are talking, the crowd is cheering, and the Referee is blowing the whistle. To a youth sports participant, the atmosphere is much like that of a fighter pilot with enemy jets racing all around. Do not yell instructions to your child during the game because it only adds to the confusion.

Sometimes the best thing you can do as a parent is to be quiet. Cheer and acknowledge good plays by both teams.

After the game

• Thank the officials for doing a difficult job.
• Thank the coaches for their efforts.
• Thank your opponents for a good game.
• Congratulate your child and his or her teammates for their efforts.
• Compliment individual players on good plays they made in the game.

During the car ride home

• Point out a good play your child made during the game.
• Avoid criticizing or correcting mistakes.
• Ask open-ended questions about how the game was played rather than how many points were scored. Here are examples of open-ended questions that might apply:
  • Did you have fun?
  • Did you give it your best effort?
  • What did you learn from the game?
  • What was the best play you made and how did it feel?

Remember:
Coaches Coach.   Referees Ref.   Parents Cheer.

AYSO Kids Zone

At AYSO, we want all players, coaches, families and volunteers to have fun. That’s where AYSO Kids Zone comes in. Kids Zone is a special program that encourages fans on the sidelines, and anyone else nearby, to use positive language, show good sportsmanship in their attitude and behavior, and to create a great experience for every player. Kids Zone is a reminder that the AYSO soccer fields are a safe, friendly, happy, place for children to play.

The Kids Zone Pledge

Regions 114 participate in the Kids Zone program. You will see signs posted near the fields as helpful reminders that no matter how intense the game can be, kids need cheerful support from the sidelines. Parents and spectators are asked to sign the pledge and agree to the following guidelines:

1. Kids are No. 1
2. Fun – not winning – is everything
3. Fans only cheer, and only coaches coach
4. No yelling in anger
5. Respect the volunteer referees
6. No swearing or abusive behavior
7. No alcohol, tobacco or drugs
8. No weapons
9. Leave no trash behind
10. Set a proper example of sportsmanship

No Pets at Region 114 Events

We know your pet is a valued member of your family. But because others may have allergies or be sacred of animals, Region 114 does not allow pets at practices, game day venues, tournaments, or other Region 114 team events. This Policy is endorsed at the National level, is endorsed at the Section level, is endorsed at the Area level, is consistent with neighboring Regions, and is in keeping with our Insurance Policy which does not cover animal bites or related injuries.

Disclaimer: AYSO is obligated to observe and respect existing regulations and laws regarding the presence of service animals at our fields. Service animals are defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as only dogs or miniature horses that have been trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. Other animals, whether wild or domestic, do not qualify as service animals.

For more information, see AYSO's Pets On The Field Policy.

Region 114 Respects The Whistle

Is it okay to challenge or harass the referee?

NO. NOT EVER.

Being vocally critical of the Referee is not allowed at AYSO games -it's not ok for coaches, spectators or players - for any reason - at any time. Referees are VOLUNTEERS who are doing their best to provide a fun and fair experience for our children, and they really don't need spectator assistance. Being a Referee means you are constantly making judgement calls - and it's 100% their call to make.

It is reasonable to want your child/team to have a great experience. It is not reasonable or helpful for you to 'assist' by shouting at the Referee during a game. It's upsetting to the players, other parents, the volunteer referee, and it DOES NOT HELP. Solution: the Referee Administrator welcomes a discussion of your concerns AFTER the game, in a private setting. Your concerns will be listened to and addressed.

Youth Referee Policy

Region 114 has a THRIVING youth referee culture. We have the largest number of youth referees of any AYSO region in our area. REMINDER REGION 114 HAS A ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY OF NEGATIVE ACTIONS/WORDS DIRECTED ABOUT, TOWARDS, OR NEAR YOUTH REFEREES.

Spectators and Coaches who violate our Zero Tolerance Youth Referee policy are subject to suspensions, and/or other sanctions at the discretion of the Region 114 Executive board.

Referee Questions or Concerns?

You can reach out to our Region Referee Administrator at [email protected] or the Region Coach Administrator at [email protected].